Don Pasquale
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ACT 1 - 3
The old, wealthy but stingy bachelor Don Pasquale wants to marry off his nephew Ernesto to a wealthy woman.
But Ernesto prefers the young, penniless widow Norina, who loves him. Although Don Pasquale has never seen Norina, he rejects this marriage - and chases Ernesto out of the house without further ado. Dejected, he writes a farewell letter to his lover Norina.
But Norina does not give up on Ernesto. Don Pasquale's new plan is to get married himself - and his friend Dr. Malatesta is supposed to help him. However, Dr. Malatesta sticks by Ernesto and sets up a game of confusion in which Norina and Ernesto play along: Norina is presented to the old bachelor as Malatesta's well-educated sister Sofronia, who has grown up in the convent. Don Pasquale is enraptured by this quiet, virtuous creature - and enters into a sham marriage with her, orchestrated by Malatesta (which Don Pasquale believes to be real).
Immediately after the wedding, Sofronia (=Norina) changes her behavior. She becomes a wasteful, loveless, snippy xanthippe who terrorizes Pasquale and - apparently - deceives him. In order to drive her out of the house again, Don Pasquale wants to marry his nephew Ernesto, equipped with a rich dowry, to Norina (who is still apparently unknown to him) and take her in. This is when Sofronia's true identity is revealed to him. He has to learn that older men are better off not courting younger women ...
ACT 1 & 2 - 80 MIN
INTERMISSION - 30 MIN
ACT 3 - 45 MIN
Program and cast
Don Pasquale: Erwin Schrott
Ernesto: Edgardo Rocha
Malatesta: Davide Luciano
Norina: Pretty Yende
Musical Direction: Giacomo Sagripanti
Direction: Irina Brook
Stage: Noëlle Ginefri-Corbel
Costumes: Sylvie Martin-Hyszka
Lighting: Arnaud Jung
Choreography: Martin Buczko
Vienna State Opera
Public Transport
Subway lines: U1, U2, U4
Trams: 1, 2, D, J, 62, 65
Buses: 59A
Local Railway: Badner Bahn
Stops: Karlsplatz / Opera
Taxi stands are available nearby.
Parking
Parking is only € 6, - for eight hours!
The Wiener Staatsoper and the ÖPARK Kärntner Ring Garage on Mahlerstraße 8, under the “Ringstraßengalerien”, offer the patrons of the Vienna State Opera a new, reduced parking fee. You can park in the Kärntner Ring Garage for up to 8 hours and pay only a flat fee of € 6, -. Just validate your ticket at one of the discount machines inside the Wiener Staatsoper. The normal rate will be charged for parking time greater than 8 hours. The validation machines can be found at the following coat checks: Operngasse, Herbert von Karajan-Platz, and the right and left and balcony galleries.
Important: In order to get the discount, please draw a ticket and do not use your credit card when entering the garage!
After devaluing your ticket in the Wiener Staatsoper you can pay comfortably by credit card or cash at the vending machines.
The machines accept coins and bills up to 50.- Euro. Parking time longer than 8 hours will be charged at the normal rate.
History
The structure of the opera house was planned by the Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg, while the inside was designed by interior decorator Eduard van der Nüll. It was also impacted by other major artists such as Moritz von Schwind, who painted the frescoes in the foyer, and the famous "Zauberflöten" (“Magic Flute”) series of frescoes on the veranda. Neither of the architects survived to see the opening of ‘their’ opera house: the sensitive van der Nüll committed suicide, and his friend Sicardsburg died of a stroke soon afterwards.
On May 25, 1869, the opera house solemnly opened with Mozart's Don Giovanni in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
The popularity of the building grew under the artistic influence of the first directors: Franz von Dingelstedt, Johann Herbeck, Franz Jauner, and Wilhelm Jahn. The Vienna opera experienced its first high point under the direction of Gustav Mahler. He completely transformed the outdated performance system, increased the precision and timing of the performances, and also utilized the experience of other noteworthy artists, such as Alfred Roller, for the formation of new stage aesthetics.
The years 1938 to 1945 were a dark chapter in the history of the opera house. Under the Nazis, many members of the house were driven out, pursued, and killed, and many works were not allowed to be played.
On March 12, 1945, the opera house was devastated during a bombing, but on May 1, 1945, the “State Opera in the Volksoper” opened with a performance of Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. On October 6, 1945, the hastily restored “Theaters an der Wien” reopened with Beethoven's FIDELIO. For the next ten years the Vienna State Opera operated in two venues while the true headquarters was being rebuilt at a great expense.
The Secretary of State for Public Works, Julius Raab, announced on May 24, 1945, that reconstruction of the Vienna State Opera would begin immediately. Only the main facade, the grand staircase, and the Schwind Foyer had been spared from the bombs. On November 5, 1955, the Vienna State Opera reopened with a new auditorium and modernized technology. Under the direction of Karl Böhm, Beethoven’s FIDELIO was brilliantly performed, and the opening ceremonies were broadcast by Austrian television. The whole world understood that life was beginning again for this country that had just regained its independence.
Today, the Vienna State Opera is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world; in particular, it is the house with the largest repertoire. It has been under the direction of Dominique Meyer since September 1, 2010.
Performances: Th 20 Mar 2025,
Performances: Mo 10 Feb 2025,
Performances: Su 17 Nov 2024,
Performances: Tu 12 Nov 2024,
Performances: Su 08 Jun 2025,
Performances: Tu 24 Sep 2024,